Pipe-foundry plant.



P. HERBERT. PIPE FOUNDRY .PLANT.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 11, 1909.

972,108. Patented 0ct.4,1910.

4 SHEETSBHEET 1.

F.- HERBERT.

. PIPE FOUNDRY PLANT.

APPLICATION rum) our. 11, 1909.

Patented Oct. 4,1910.

4 SHEETS-431E111 2.

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F. HERBERT. PIPE FOUNDRY PLANT.

APPLIOATION FILED OUT. 11, 1909.

- Patented 0ct.4, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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P. HERBERT. PIPE FOUNDRY 12mm. APPLICATION FILED OUT. 11, 1909.

Patented Oct. 4, 1910.

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being in longitudinal section.

FRED HERBERT, OF COSHOCTON, OHIO.

PIPE-FOUNDRY PLANT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 4, 1910.

Application filed October 11, 1909. Serial No. 522,112.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED HERBERT, a

subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Coshocton, in thecounty of Coshocton, State of Ohio, have made a certain new and usefulInvention in Pipe-Foundry Plants, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to pipe foundry plants. I

The object of the invention is to provide a pipe foundry plant of simpleand improved arrangement, and wherein the various steps required for themolding of pipes are carried out in consecutive order, and in a simpleand expeditious manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pipe foundry plant ofincreased capacity with the same amount of flask equipment or less thanis possible with plants heretofore equipped.-

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination,location and arrangement, all as will be more fully hereinafter setforth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out inthe appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and to the various views andreference signs appearing thereon :-F igure 1 is a plan View,illustrating a foundry plant embodying the principles of my invention;Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the same, parts Fig. 3 is a view inelevation, parts in longitudinal section, showing the sand elevatingapparatus employed in connection with the operation of a foundry plantin accordance with my invention; Fig. 4 is a view in transverse section,on the line l, 4, of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;Fig. 5 is a view in transverse section, on the line 5, 5, of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 6 is a view in transversesection, on the line 6, 6, of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of thearrows; Fig. 7 is a view in transverse section, on the line 7, 7, ofFig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and Fig. 8 is a broken,detail view in vertical section showing a construction of dryingapparatus employed in one of the steps of operation.

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever itoccurs throughout the several views.

In the operation of manufacturing cast iron pipes as heretofore commonlycarried out, the various steps in the operation have been executed atvarious places in the plant or foundry, the molds being made at onepoint, the application of the blacking to the finished molds beingapplied at some other point, the molds dried at still another point, andso on for the various steps of the process. This has necessitated theprovision of cranes and other devices for transporting the molds, andflasks from point to point, thereby requiring a large amount of handlingand the expense incident thereto, and very materially reducing the dailyoutput of the plant. It is among the special purposes of my presentinvention to provide an arrangement of pipe-molding plant which enablesthe various steps in the operation to be accomplished and carried outcontinuously, step by step in consecutive order, and wherein the flasks,in which the molds are first formed and subsequently the pipes are cast,are transported in vertical position suspended from track rails arrangedin convenient relation to the apparatus required for accomplishing thevarious steps of the molding process. I also propose to provide such asystem with means for continuous step by step progression of thesuspended flasks from point to point, so that the various steps of theoperation may be carried out continuously, and the separate andindividual handling or transportation of the flask or mold from point topoint avoided.

In accordance with the principles of my invention I provide one or morepairs of elevated track rails AB, supported on posts C. Upon these trackrails are mounted to travel trucks D on which are suspended in verticalposition the flasks in which the molding and casting operations arecarried out. In the particular form shown, to which, however, myinvention as defined in the claims is not to be limited or restricted, Iemploy two pairs of elevated track rails A, and two palrs of elevatedtrack rails 13. These elevated track rails are arranged in parallelrelation with respect to each other, in the most convenient relation,and operating transversely thereof at their respective ends aretransverse carriers E, carried by trucks F, which operate on track railsG, placed on the flooring of the foundry and in such relation withrespect to the elevated track rails as to enable the verticallysuspended flasks to remain in vertical suspension when the supportingtrucks D thereof are supported upon the transfer carriers E. Thearrangement of the transfer carriers E with relation to the track railsA and B is such as to enable the flask-supporting trucks D to betransferred from the one set of rails A to the other set of rails B atone end and back again at the other end.

If desired, and in order to enable the transfer of the flask-supportingtrucks to be accomplished automatically and by power mechanism, Ipropose to employ hydraulic, steam or other pushing devices, indicatedat H, and the cylinder J, to eflect the actuation of the transfercarrier E, carrying a flask-supporting truck D from the end of thetrack-rails A into position to be received upon the adjacent ends oftrackrails B. At that point, I provide, if desired, another automatic orpower-actuated pusher K and cylinder L, by means of which theflask-supporting truck D is transferred from the transfer bogie or truckE onto the track rails B. Similarly at the opposite ends of the elevatedtrack-rails B, I provide a transferring or pushing device M and cylinderN, by means of which the transfer bogie or truck E, F, after receivihg aflask suspending truck D, may be pushed in transverse relation withrespect to the track rails B and into position to be received upon thetrack rails A. hen this last point is reached an automatic or otherpusher O and cylinder P may serve to effect the transfer of theflask-supporting truck from the transfer bogie onto the track-rails A. Ialso propose to control the various pushing devices H, K, M and 0,either manually as, for instance, by the hand lever B, (see Fig. 2) orby automatic stop-devices S each arranged, at a convenient point, in thepath of to be engaged by the flasks, and which, when operated, controlsthe associated pushing device.

I will now describe the operation of the plant and of the variousappliances employed in connection with the various steps involved in theoperation, and for convenience of description and to follow out thevarious steps in successive order, I will commence at the point wherethe molds are made. It is obvious that the molds may be hand rammed ormachine molded.

In the drawing I have shown molding machines. The molding machines areindicated by the reference sign 10 (see Figs. 1 and 2). This moldingmachine may be of any preferred type of construction and arrangement ofpower actuated pipe molding machines, and the specific structure of thedetails thereof forms no part of my present invention, the one essentialbeing that the molding should be properly accomplished. It obvious thata separate molding machine will be employed in connectionwith each pairof elevated track rails A. After the molds are properly made the trucksD carrying the flasks 11, held in vertically suspended position areadvanced from the molding position, step by step through the operationof the system of pushing devices above mentioned, and other empty flasksbrought up into position to receive the sand and have the mold made, aswill be presently more fully explained. By thus successively advancingthe rammed molds from the molding position step by step, eventually thetrucks D upon which the rammed molds and their containing flasks arevertically suspended, are pushed onto the transfer carriers E and bywhich, still in vertically suspended position, they are transported intoposition to be received on the track rails B. The next step ofadvancement of the flask supporting trucks is effected by the pusher K,which transfers the flask supporting trucks D onto the trackrails B.Thus the flask supporting trucks are successively advanced step by stepalong the track rails B, where the molds receive their coatings ofblacking and are dried.

It will be seen that the flasks or molds on any one line of rails aremoved or advanced at each actuation of the pusher device associated withsuch line of rails through a distance corresponding to the stroke of thepusher device, so that at each actuation of a pusher device the flasksin front of it are advanced one step in the operation of the system,each individual flask, being moved into the identical position formerlyoccupied by the flask next ahead of it, where whatever operation or workwas being performed on or with respect to the flask next ahead can beperformed on said individual flask and the various devices employed inconnection with the plant or system are so related and relativelyarranged that the flasks are successively brought into proper positionwith respect thereto by this step by step operation.

Referring to Fig. 5, I have shown the operation of blackening theinterior surfaces of the sand molds while the latter are held verticallysuspended upon their supporting trucks D. This operation is accomplishedat some convenient point in the travel of the flask supporting trucksalong the track rails B, and preferably in advance of the dryingoperation of the molds. The blackening composition, of any desiredmaterial such as is ordinarily employed for this purpose, as, forinstance, powdered coal dust, clay wash and water, is contained in areceptacle 19,

mold carried in the flask which has been brought up into properposition, in any suitable or convenient manner, well known and common inthe art. If two or more track rails B, are employed, so that two or moremold carrying flasks are brought into position simultaneously for themolds to be blackened, then, if desired, auxiliary spouts, indicated at18, in Fig. 5, may be .employed to direct the blackening material fromthe spout 17 as may be desired. Any surplus of blackening materialsupplied to the molds, and any adhering loose particles of sand whichmay be detached by the application of the blackening material, fall intothe receptacle 12, after passing through a screen 19, the smallparticles of sand depositing into the bottom of the receptacle 12, andthe blackening material being elevated for application to other molds inthe continuous operation of the plant.

From the blacking apparatus the flasks carrying the green molds areadvanced farther, and in step by step order, along the track rails andare dried. The drying operation is a most important one in the operationof pipe foundry plants, as it is necessary to thoroughly and efficientlydry the green sand mold sufiiciently to avoid the danger of explosionsor destruction of the mold or pipe when the molten metal is poured intothe mold in the casting operation. I have shown a simple and veryeffective drying arrangement, (see particularly Figs. 6 and 8), whereinI propose to dry to a greater or less depth the interior surface of thegreen molds by the application of heat applied longitudinally throughthe molds and preferably from a point below the suspended molds.

Various forms of heating devices may be employed in the particulararrangement shown, to which my invention, as defined in the claims, isnot to be limited or restricted. I use a gas heating plant, comprisinggas supply pipes or boxes 20, laid beneath the elevated suspending trackrails, and conveniently in parallel relation with respect thereto, andhaving a series of nozzles 21, with air openings 22, so as to form ineffect Bunsen burners. The burners 21 may be provided with removableplugs 23, which, if desired, may be graduated as to the size of theopening therethrough so as to regulate and vary the degree of heat to beobtained from the burners, as well as to accommodate them to varioussizes of pipes. These plugs, being removable, may be readily removed andre placed by others, according to the exigencies encountered.

By the arrangement of heating devices above referred to I am enabled toapply a gradually increasing heat to the interior surface of the moldsas they are carried step by step from one to another of the burners asthe flask supporting trucks D, are advanced along the track-rails B. Inthis manner, I am not only enabled to efiiciently, thoroughly andeifectually dry the molds, but I am also enabled to inspect the dryingoperation and the condition of the interior of the molds at all timesand both at top and bottom, as the drying operation progresses. Thislatter feature is attained by reason of the flasks being suspended invertical position from elevated tracks, thereby enabling a clear View tobe obtained when desired, longitudinally through the molds from above orbelow.

In practice, the track-rails B, are of suflicient length to enable thegraduated and gradually applied heat to complete the drying of the moldas the suspended flasks advance step by step along said track-rails, andeventually the suspended flasks and their supporting trucks are pushedonto the transfer carrier at the opposite end of the track rail '13,from that receiving the suspending trucks. hen this point in theoperation is reached the transfer carrier E, is actuated by the pushingdevice M into position for the flask containing the dry mold and itssuspending truck D to be again received upon the track rails A. Themolds and their suspending trucks remain in this position until thepushing device 0, is actuated, and the actuation of said pushing devicemay be controlled automatically if desired, as above explained, orpreferably by manually controlled devices, indicated at 2 1, (see Fig.1), arranged adjacent the point where the molds are made or by lever R,see Fig. 2. After the dried molds and their containing flasks andsuspending trucks are received upon the track-rails A, they are advancedin similar manner along said track rails, step by step, and while saidmolds, are still maintained in vertically suspended relation theysuccessively receive the bottom or end plates 90, the cores 27 areinserted into the molds, the molten metal is poured, the core bars 33,are withdrawn, the flasks are opened, the pipes removed, and the flasksclosed, these various operations being accomplished in successive order.The first of these steps, namely, the application of the bottom or endplates, may be accomplished by means of hydraulic, steam or othersuitable power mechanism, indicated at 25 (see Fig. 2). Sand heads areformed and baked at some convenient point in the plant and transportedin any convenient manner to the point where they are to be applied tothe lower ends of the flasks and molds. I have indicated in Fig. 1 aroom or shed 26, in which these sand heads are formed. They are thenmounted on bottom plates which are carried by trucks 27, the latteroperated on an auxiliary system of track rails 28, through an ovenindicated in dotted lines at 29, and then into position for said platesto be applied and secured to the lower ends of the suspended flasks,said plates and sand heads being raised in any convenient manner, byhand or otherwise, into position to be secured to the flasks, as, forinstance, by the elevating devices 25. Then the elevating devices areretracted the empty trucks 27, are pushed along the track rails 28, (seeFig. 2), into position to again receive the bottom plates when releasedfrom the flasks after they have accomplished their purpose. The trucks27 bearing the empty bottom plates are then returned to the shed or room26, to receive their sand heads. After the bottom plates, with sandheads are applied to the flasks, the trucks D, are advanced along thetrack rails A, into position to receive the .mold cores 29. These moldcores are formed in some other convenient part of the foundry and aretransported into position to be transferred into the mold in anyconvenient manner, and I have indicated track rails 30, for thispurpose. hen the cores are brought into position to be inserted into themold, an elevated traveling crane 31, may be brought into requisitionfor the purpose of depositing the core into the mold. After the core isinserted into the mold the flask is again advanced along the track railsA, still in vertically suspended position, and is eventually broughtinto position to receive the molten metal. This step in the operation isindicated in Figs. 2 and 7, ladles 91, containing the molten metal beingbrought to the required point from cupolas at some convenient point inthe plant by means of a traveling crane 32, and poured into the upperends of the molds. After the casting operation the trucks carry ing theflasks are advanced along the track rails A, while the metal cools andsets, the flasks being received in position, after the castingoperation, for the bottom plates to be uncottered and detached from thelower ends of the flasks, where said bottom plates drop upon the emptytruck 27, arranged to receive the same, as clearly indicated in F .ig.2. About the same time the core bars 33, are withdrawn upwardly from theflasks, the casting operation having been completed at this stage of theoperation. These core bars, after being withdrawn from the flasks bysuitable mechanism carried by the overhead traveling crane 32, aredeposited again upon the track rails 30, and returned to the core makingroom of the plant.

After the core bars are Withdrawn and the bottom plates detached fromthe flasks the trucks supporting said flasks are advanced step by stepstill farther along the track rails A, and into position for the flasksections 34, and 35, to be separated or opened up, as indicated in Fig.4, and the pipe casting indicated at 36, Fig. 2, to be withdrawntherefrom and removed. The removal of the pipe casting is accomplishedby means of a jib crane device indicated at 37 Fig. 2, and deliveredupon track-rails 38, Fig. 1, and rolled therealong into the cleaningshed.

Then the flasks are opened up, as above described, and the pipe castingremoved therefrom, the sand drops down into a sand pit 39. From thissand pit the sand, together with a fresh supply, if necessary orrequired, with additional moisture is dumped into a mixing tank 92, seeFig. 2, and shoveled or otherwise transferred therefrom into a hopper40, and conveyed therefrom by a conveniently constructed conveyer, in-"dicated at 41, into position, to be elevated by an elevator 42, to arotary sifting mill 43, and from there deposited on the sand platform44, into position to be supplied into the flasks when brought intoposition for the molding operation.

It will be seen that the sand is delivered from the elevator onto thesand platform 44. By employing the sifter or riddle 43, the sand isflaked down onto the platform any lumps thereon being broken up. Theplatform 44, is provided with an opening 94, therethrough which is inline directly over the flask when the latter is in position to receivethe sand so that all that is necessary is to shovel the flaked sand,which is free from lumps into the opening 94, through which it fallsinto the flask. In this manner, I avoid the use or employment of hoppersfrom which sand is to be delivered into the flasks, and which, inpractice, are a source of great annoyance by reason of the wet sandbecoming caked and packed therein. It will also be seen that when theflask is in position to receive the sand, as above explained, it is alsoin position for the mold to be formed. Where a molding machine isemployed, the truck carrying the flask, after the latter is suppliedwith sand, is lowered into position for the molding machine to performits work. To accomplish this, the track rails A, are provided Withsections indicated at 95, Fig. 2, which are raised and lowered by rams96, or otherwise, the operation of which is so timed or controlled thatas soon as the flask is lowered it receives the sand, and as soon as theramming is completed the flask and supporting track rail sections areagain raised into proper relation with the main track rail system. Afterthe pipe casting has been removed from the flask, and the sand has beendeposited from the flask into the sand pit, the sections 34., 35, of theflask are again closed and cottered or otherwise secured together, andthe flask is again brought into position to receive the sand, to formthe mold for the ramming or molding operation.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that I accomplish acontinuous operation of the plant or system, the flasks are constantlymaintained in vertically suspended position throughout the variousoperations, they are not required to be handled or transportedindividually from one point to another but remain suspended upon theircarrying trucks which operate on the elevated track-rail system, thetrucks thus being transferred step by step, along tracks into positionfor the various operations to be carried out for the roduotion of thepipe castings from the initial to the final stage of production.

It will also be observed that the foundry plant system embodying myinvention as above set forth involves the continuous cycle of operation,not only of the flasks, bottom plates and core bars, by reason of thesystem of track-rails, trucks and transfer devices therefor, but also ofthe material employed in the various operations, such as the handling ofthe molding sand, and the handling of the blacking material. In each ofthese operations the parts and materials have definite cycles ofoperation of their own, each of which coincides with its part of thecycle of the flask and mold carrying apparatus.

It will be observed that I economize floor space in the foundry plant,as the elevated track rail system is compact and the cupolas, coreshops, sand head shops and pipe cleaning sheds may all be convenientlygrouped and arranged with reference to the elevated track system so asto enable the continuous cycles of operation to be carried out.

It will be observed that by the system above described a comparativelyfew flasks are capable of maintaining the plant in continuous operationsince they are not required to be kept in a drying oven in large numhersand for long periods of time, and handled in large quantities as a unitof the operation, as is the common practice. On the contrary, when themolds are made the flasks are brought successively and individually intoposition for the various steps of the operation to be carried outcontinuously and this marks one of the important and valuable featuresof my invention.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and aconstruction embodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new anduseful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent1s:

1. In a foundry plant, a truck, elevated track-rails on which the truckoperates, a flask supported upon said truck in vertically suspendedposition with reference to said rails, and means for advancing the truckintermittently step by step along its supporting rails.

2. In a foundry plant, a truck, a flask supported thereon in verticallysuspended position, elevated track-rails on which the truck operates,and means for transferring the1 truck from one to another of saidtrackra1 s.

3. I11 a foundry plant, a system of elevated level track-rails, trucksoperating on said track rails, flasks suspended in vertical position onsaid trucks, and a transfer bogie for transferring the trucks from oneset of said elevated track-rails to another.

4. In a foundry plant, a system of elevated track-rails, independenttrucks operating on said rails, flasks suspended in vertical positionupon said trucks, and means for progressing said trucks along said railsintermittently step by step.

5. In a foundry plant, a system of elevated track-rails, trucksoperating on said rails, flasks supported in vertically suspendedposition on said trucks, means for transferring said trucks from oneline of track rails to another, and means for intermittently progressingthe trucks along the rails step by step. I

6. In a foundry plant the combination with mold ramming, blackening,drying sand. head plate applying, core inserting, casting, core barwithdrawing, head plate detaching, and sand delivery mechanisms, of asystem of track-rails extending past said mechanisms, trucks operatingon said track rails, and flasks supported upon said trucks in verticallysuspended positlon.

7. In a foundry plant, and the combination with mold ramming,blackening, drying, sand head applying, core inserting,,casting, andsand supplying mechanisms, of a system of track-rails extending pastsaid several meclmnisms, trucks operating on said track-rails, flaskscarried by said trucks in vertically suspended position, and means foradvancing said trucks along said track rails step by step.

8. In a foundry plant, a system of trackrails, trucks operating thereon,molds suspended in vertical position upon said trucks, means forprogressing said trucks along said track-rails, and means for applying agradually increasing drying heat to the molds.

9. In a foundry plant, a system of ele vated track rails, trucksoperating thereon, molds suspended from said trucks in verticalposition, drying devices, over which said trucks move in succession, tobring the vertically suspended molds successively over the successivedrying devices, and means for intermittently advancing the trucks stepby step along said track-rails.

10. In a foundry plant, and the combination with mold-supporting devicesin which the molds are suspended in vertical. position, of dryingdevices arranged in succession beneath the suspended molds, and meansfor intermittently advancing the molds step by step over the dryingdevices.

11. In a foundry plant, and the combination with moldin blackening,drying, head and core setting and casting devices, of a flask, means forsuspending the same in vertical position, and means for moving the suspended flask step by step past the said several mechanisms.

12. In a foundry plant, track-rails arranged in parallel relation, atruck, a flask supported upon said truck in vertically sus pendedposition, means for advanc ng the truck along each pair of tracks,devlces for transferring the truck from one pair of track rails toanother, and means for controlling said transferring devices.

13. In a foundry plant, pairs of trackrails arranged in parallelrelation, trucks operating thereon, flasks suspended on said trucks invertical position, means for transferring said trucks from one set oftrackrails to another, and an/Iutomatic device for controlling saidtransferring mechanisms.

14. In a foundry plant, a system of track rails, trucks operatingthereon, molds suspended in vertical position upon said trucks, meansfor progressing said trucks along said track rails in step by steporder, and means for applying a gradually increasing drying heat to themolds.

15. In a foundry plant, a truck, elevated track rails on which the truckoperates, said track rails having vertically moving sections, a flasksupported on said truck in vertically suspended position, means formoving the truck step by step, and means for raising and lowering thetrack rail sections.

16. In a foundry plant, a truck, track rails on which the truckoperates, a flask supported on said truck in vertically suspendedposition, a platform arranged above the track rails, means fordelivering sand to said plat-form, for delivery therefrom to the flask,and means for moving the truck along said rails.

17. In a foundry plant, a truck, track rails on which said truckoperates, a flask supported on the truck in vertically suspendedposition, a platform supported above the track rails and having anopening therethrough, means for delivering sand onto said platform, andmeans for moving the truck along the track rails to bring the flask intoregister with said opening.

18. In a foundry plant, a truck, track rails on which said truckoperates, a flask supported 011 the truck in vertically suspendedposition, a platform arranged above the path of the flask, a riddle forflaking sand onto said platform, means for delivering the sand to theriddle, and means for advancing the truck along said rails.

19. In a foundry plant, a truck, elevated track rails on which saidtruck operates, a flask supported on the truck in vertically suspendedposition, a platform and a molding machine arranged, respectively aboveand below the track rails, said platform having an opening in lineregister with the molding machine, and means for moving the truck alongsaid rails to bring the flask into register with said opening andmolding machine.

20. In a foundry plant, a truck, elevated track rails on which the truckoperates, a flask supported on the truck in vertically suspendedposition, a sand head carrying truck, rails on which said last mentionedtruck operates to deliver the sand head to and from the flask, said sandhead truck operating for a portion of its travel in the direction ofoperation of the flask.

21. In a foundry plant, a truck, elevated track rails on which the truckoperates, a mold supported on said truck in vertically suspendedposition, means arranged above the mold for delivering blacking materialinto the upper end of the mold, a receptacle arranged below the mold tocatch and retain the surplus blacking material from the mold, means fortransferring the blacking material from the receptacle to the deliveringmeans,

and means for moving the truck along the track rails.

22. In a foundry plant, a truck, elevated track rails on which the truckoperates, a flask supported on the truck in vertically suspendedposition, a sand head carrying truck, rails on which said last mentionedtruck operates, said sand head carrying truck rails being arranged belowthe flask truck rails, and means for raising the sand head from itscarrying truck to the lower end of the flask.

23. In a foundry plant, a track system, trucks operating on said tracksystem, flasks suspended in vertical position from said trucks, devicesfor use in casting pipe sections, said devices being positioned atvarious points along said track system, and means for advancing saidtrucks and flasks step by step along said track system and suc cessivelypast said devices.

24:. In a foundry plant, the combination with mold supporting devices, aseries of individual heating devices delivering successively increasingheat intensities and means for moving the mold supporting devicessuccessively over said heating devices.

25. In a foundry plant, the combination with mold supporting devices, aseries of individual heating devices located below said supportingdevices and delivering successively increasing heat intensities, andmeans for moving said mold supporting devices step by step successivelyover and past the individual heating devices.

26. In a foundry plant system, the combination with mold supportingdevices and means for moving the same through a cycle of operation, ofsand head supporting de vices associated with the system, and means formoving the same through an auxiliary cycle of operation, said meansoperating to move the.sand head supporting devices (:0- incidently withthe mold supporting devices during a portion of their respective cyclesof operation.

27. In a foundry plant, the combination with a track rail system, moldsupporting trucks and means for moving the same along said track railsystem, of an auxiliary track rail system located below the mold truckrail system, sand head supporting trucks operating on said auxiliarytrack system, the line of said track rail systems coinciding for aportion of the lengths thereof.

28. In a foundry plant, the combination with a track rail system, moldsupporting trucks and means for moving the same along said track railsystem, of an auxiliary track rail system located below the mold truckrail system, said head supporting trucks operating on said auxiliarytrack rails, heating devices arranged in association with said auxiliarytrack rail system, the line of said track rail systems coinciding for aportion of the lengths thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of thesubscribing witnesses, on this 8th day of October, A. D. 1909.

FRED HERBERT.

